First Revolver: S&W 625 .45 or Ruger GP100 .357?

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hawk45

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Looking to pick up my first double action revolver. I am looking at either going with a S&W 625 in .45ACP or a Ruger GP100 in .357. I'll probably stick with a 4"-5" barrel depending on the gun.

I was thinking of the 625 as I have several .45ACP semi-auto's that I already handload. If I go with the .357 I'll have to invest in more dies, different bullets and probably a different powder. This will be mostly for just plinking at the range and maybe some bowing pin shoots at the club. Thoughts?

Thanks,
John
 
There's a few thing to consider so I can't say for sure, here's why:

1) Mastering the double-action revolver trigger pull is harder than it appears at first. Normally, even for big-bore shooters, using cream-puff .38 loads and lots of dry firing is the best. S&W's make this a little easier than Rugers, usually. But that's not enough to decide between them, just a factor.

2) Since you apparently already reload, you can build nice light .45 loads and accomplish this - loads that won't even cycle your autos, for example. But don't scrimp on the dry-firing.

Now bear in mind:

a) the Ruger is indeed going to be cheaper
b) dies and .38 bullets are pretty cheap - will definitely be cheaper to shoot. just price 158gr. bullets and 3.2 grain loads vs 200/230 gr. bullets and 5.0 grain loads in volume. You'll offset the die and brass costs pretty quickly.
c) the .357 is one heck of a versatile platform and adding it to your inventory might be both practical and fun.
d) moon clips are a PITA, IMHO. I like speed loaders or speed strips much more than moon clips. Heck, I prefer loading each cylinder by hand vs. mooning/de-mooning clips.

So you have a lot to think about. What would I tell you to get? A 30 year-old S&W 686. Awesome .357 platform, S&W trigger, great balance and feel. $450 or so.
 
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I shoot primarily .357/.38. So I'd go with the gp. You have already a setup with the .45. I'd stick with that if I were you. I like minimizing the amount of caliber selection I have.
 
I have several .45ACP semi-auto's that I already handload. ...... This will be mostly for just plinking at the range and maybe some bowing pin shoots at the club. Thoughts?
Click to expand...
My thought is that you answered your own question. If you already make .45ACPs, then this thing will allow you to use ammo you already have for fun.

Though, .357 is a fun all its own, especially in the world of reloading.
 
If you already reload for the 45acp --- it's a nobrainer --- S&W 625.

Edit --- I use 255gr. .45LC bullets in my .45acp reloads for the local bowling pin shoots -- knocks them pins off the table as good as my S&W 29 !!!!
 
You won't match the wonderful trigger pull of an N framed, S&W 625 revolver on a Ruger and, to me, a great trigger greatly enhances performance and accuracy with any firearm.

S&W 45ACP revolvers are so wonderful and addictive . . . and they typically will put as many rounds into one ragged, boringly repeatable hole at 10 yards as you want to shoot . . . standing/unsupported!

Also, the felt recoil characteristics of .45ACP handguns is so different from the .357. The .357 is a very sharp sting but, as you know, the .45ACP feels like just a firm PUSH rather than a sting. This leads to less muzzle rise and faster followup shots.

I own several handguns in both calibers you mentioned and thoroughly enjoy shooting both calibers. However, my favorite handguns to shoot are .45ACPs in general, and S&W .45ACP revolvers in particular.

Either choice will be good . . . but I especially think you'll enjoy the S&W 625 more. I've used both a 5" 625, and my FAVORITE handgun . . . the earlier 25-2 target revolver (chopped to a 3 1/4" barrel) to spank many a 1911 competitor in matches. I can reload these moon-clipped revolvers as fast as I can my competition 1911s.

Good luck with your choice!
 
+1 to what Gunfighter123 said about the power of the 625 in .45ACP in clearing bowling pins in matches (shot at ten yards, double action)

Yeah, a hot 357 load will too, but the muzzle rise will usually make you a little slower.

As wonderful the street record is with the .357, after shooting hundreds of matches through the years and watching others shoot too, I've come to believe that when time AND power both are important . . . nothing beats the .45ACP overall!

When things go bump in the night, I reach for THIS . . .

2250454198025-2.jpg
 
The 625 will be the pistol they pry from my cold fingers; they are sweet and keepers! The 5" with lots of full moon star clips work well for me. My gun dollars are precious so I buy investments. The 625 will be well suited for your purposes, it will exceed your expectations by magnitudes for fun. Looking back, the right choice was the easy choice: the 625 for my first revolver (after decades with semi autos).
 
Better choice

I agree with all the above about a 625 especially concerning the trigger---no GP 100 with ever come close to the S&W 625 trgger---plus for a little more snap you can buy some 45Super brass from StarLine and when loaded up to max you can have ballistics similar to a 41mag.
 
If you don't mind dealing with the full moon clips (really not that big a deal) go for the 625. Once you shoot one you will be addicted. Once you see what Jerry Miculek can do with one you will be inspired.
 
The GP100 is like a Harley Davidson sportster. It's bigger than most, but you will shortly outgrow it.

You will always have the 625 itch, so you might as well scratch it now and save yourself some time and money. ;)
 
I was shooting my buddy's old model 25 last month,and here's my take;
Loved,loved loved the trigger and the accuracy,and the gun in general.
.
Hated screwing with the moonclips.He had an old,very well designed tool for loading and unloading them,but they were still a huge PITA !
He had at least 3 dozen moon clips,so he could load them while watching tv and then just shoot when at the range.BUT ya still gotta un-clip ''em and reload them.
did I mention they are a HUGE PITA ?
 
The power range for the 38/357 combination is exceptionally broad. You can learn on 38's step up to 38 +P and go all the way up to 357 Magnums. The GP 100 is probably the MOST durable Revolver on the Market. GP 100 no doubt.
Take heed to the comments about Moon Clips they are fast but they are a also a pain. HKS and Safariland make Speedloaders for the GP, no worries.
 
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Thanks guys.. I'm going out now to look at both. I'll probably get both in time but start with the 45ACP S&W.. thanks for all the help.
 
There are some new devices on the market now that should take the pain out of mooning and de-mooning the .45s. I think full moons are the ultimate speedloaders.
 
After shooting at a local indoor target range with my kids, friend and co-workers with a variety of .357 mag revolvers (Dan Wesson, a couple S&Ws) and my S&W 625, at the end of the shoot I like to ask which is the favorite.
ALWAYS the 625.
 
Hawk45 said "If I go with the .357 I'll have to invest in more dies, different bullets and probably a different powder."

It should be that you GET to invest in more dies, different bullets and powder. I love shooting my 45acp revolver, but you're looking at it the wrong way.:p
 
I have both (actually I have a 325). They are both great guns, but if you already reload for .45 I would push you in that direction.
 
I can reload the 625 and 25-2 handguns FASTER than I can reload my competition 1911.

These are the ultimate in fighting handguns, IMHO.

This is my "bump in the night" gun.

PERFECT:

1. SHORT BARREL . . . harder for the BG to get hold of in a fight . . . plus,

2. FRONT SIGHT . . . squared AND filed on its edges really sharp. It WILL cut someone pretty bad who tries to grab it. You can also cause some damage swinging it and using that front sight, should you need to.

3. STAG GRIPS . . . The Stags are tough enough for Elk fights, and they should be tough enough for my favorite fighting revolver!

NOTE: I have a friend whose brother woke up one night just as an intruder jumped on him while he was in bed. It was a fight to the death, as both men desperately tried to gain the upper hand with the home owner's S&W revolver to kill the other. After ten minutes of hell, terror, blood and fighting, the owner got enough control of his S&W to kill the other guy. By that time the S&W wood grips were already smashed off the revolver! Plus . . .

4. BEST . . . IT IS STOKED WITH .45ACP!!!

2256768new25-2plusmoonclips-edited.jpg
 
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